THE infighting and mudslinging in Eastern Cape boxing has forced former world champion Welcome Ncitha to leave the province and relocate to Johannesburg.
Ncitha dropped the bombshell yesterday, saying he has turned his back on the province that made him its first world champion when he won the IBF junior-featherweight crown by beating Frenchman Fabrice Benechou in Israel in 1990.
While the EC has experienced an exodus of talented boxers to the city of gold, Ncitha said he never thought of leaving even though he was promoted by Johannesburg promoter Rodney Berman.
But he finally decided to pack his bags after a series of confrontations with certain boxing stakeholders.
“Yes I have left that place of yours and since I came here things are looking good for me,” Ncitha said yesterday refusing to divulge reasons for his departure.
Ncitha has recently cut ties with the darling of Mdantsane Macbute Sinyabi under mysterious circumstances.
Asked if his departure was related to the Sinyabi split, Ncitha said: “I would rather not comment on that but there were issues that did not go down well with me although I had no problem with the boxer.”
Ncitha was also roped in to form the executive of the lucrative Premier Boxing League (PBL) but local promoters argued that his involvement should disqualify him from promoting the league’s tournaments as well having boxers fighting there.
He has also been working on several projects including introducing belts for the EC titles. He had already presented the concept to the provincial department of sport, recreation, arts and culture (DSRAC) but so far nothing has come of it.
While DSRAC is reportedly keen on the project, sources have revealed Boxing SA was stalling to rubber-stamp it. Ncitha said he was still hopeful the project would finally materialise.
Within days of arriving in Johannesburg Ncitha has clinched a deal with Berman to promote three development tournaments in Mdantsane starting on May 3. “Things are looking good for me here and my partnership with Rodney is the icing on the cake,” he enthused.
Although he will be based in Johannesburg, Ncitha said he would continue working in the EC boxing scene “but I just do not want to stay there anymore”.
Berman said he regarded Ncitha as his “son” as he was the first black world champion for his promotion company Golden Gloves Promotion.
“Welcome will always be my son and I am glad to partner with him and I hope that the Eastern Cape will embrace his efforts,” said Berman.
The seven-bout May 3 show will be held at Mdantsane Indoor Centre featuring the EC lightweight title defence by Vusumzi Bokolo against Sinovuyo Tayi.
Bokolo, who started his career under Ncitha’s tutelage, will be fighting for the first time since getting knocked out by Xolisani Ndongeni in one round in the PBL last November. Ncitha said the tournament would be the first of three shows he will promote in conjunction with Berman.
“I am in the process of securing sponsorships and I am happy that I will finally see my efforts bearing fruits.”
Ncitha is considered to be one of the top technical trainers in the business having nurtured the talent of boxers who went on to make their mark in boxing.
Boxers such as Lunga “Mad Dog” Ntontela, Gabula Vabaza, Mhikiza Myekeni, Nkosinathi “Mabere” Joyi went on to win national as well as world titles even though they had been poached from his stable, forcing Ncitha to finally close his gym.
• In yesterday’s Dispatch we carried the wrong caption to a picture of Tshifhiwa Munyai. The error is regretted.
‘Gatvol’ Ncitha off to Joburg
Ncitha dropped the bombshell yesterday, saying he has turned his back on the province that made him its first world champion when he won the IBF junior-featherweight crown by beating Frenchman Fabrice Benechou in Israel in 1990.
While the EC has experienced an exodus of talented boxers to the city of gold, Ncitha said he never thought of leaving even though he was promoted by Johannesburg promoter Rodney Berman.
But he finally decided to pack his bags after a series of confrontations with certain boxing stakeholders.
“Yes I have left that place of yours and since I came here things are looking good for me,” Ncitha said yesterday refusing to divulge reasons for his departure.
Ncitha has recently cut ties with the darling of Mdantsane Macbute Sinyabi under mysterious circumstances.
Asked if his departure was related to the Sinyabi split, Ncitha said: “I would rather not comment on that but there were issues that did not go down well with me although I had no problem with the boxer.”
Ncitha was also roped in to form the executive of the lucrative Premier Boxing League (PBL) but local promoters argued that his involvement should disqualify him from promoting the league’s tournaments as well having boxers fighting there.
He has also been working on several projects including introducing belts for the EC titles. He had already presented the concept to the provincial department of sport, recreation, arts and culture (DSRAC) but so far nothing has come of it.
While DSRAC is reportedly keen on the project, sources have revealed Boxing SA was stalling to rubber-stamp it. Ncitha said he was still hopeful the project would finally materialise.
Within days of arriving in Johannesburg Ncitha has clinched a deal with Berman to promote three development tournaments in Mdantsane starting on May 3. “Things are looking good for me here and my partnership with Rodney is the icing on the cake,” he enthused.
Although he will be based in Johannesburg, Ncitha said he would continue working in the EC boxing scene “but I just do not want to stay there anymore”.
Berman said he regarded Ncitha as his “son” as he was the first black world champion for his promotion company Golden Gloves Promotion.
“Welcome will always be my son and I am glad to partner with him and I hope that the Eastern Cape will embrace his efforts,” said Berman.
The seven-bout May 3 show will be held at Mdantsane Indoor Centre featuring the EC lightweight title defence by Vusumzi Bokolo against Sinovuyo Tayi.
Bokolo, who started his career under Ncitha’s tutelage, will be fighting for the first time since getting knocked out by Xolisani Ndongeni in one round in the PBL last November. Ncitha said the tournament would be the first of three shows he will promote in conjunction with Berman.
“I am in the process of securing sponsorships and I am happy that I will finally see my efforts bearing fruits.”
Ncitha is considered to be one of the top technical trainers in the business having nurtured the talent of boxers who went on to make their mark in boxing.
Boxers such as Lunga “Mad Dog” Ntontela, Gabula Vabaza, Mhikiza Myekeni, Nkosinathi “Mabere” Joyi went on to win national as well as world titles even though they had been poached from his stable, forcing Ncitha to finally close his gym.
• In yesterday’s Dispatch we carried the wrong caption to a picture of Tshifhiwa Munyai. The error is regretted.
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